Ray Peat on Hyperventilation

January 3, 2026

Hyperventilation, CO2 Loss, and Serotonin Release

"Hyperventilation tends to increase under various stress factors, and the resulting loss of carbon dioxide raises the alkalinity of the blood, causing platelets to release serotonin. Estrogen stimulation and hypothyroidism are common causes of chronic hyperventilation, with their effect on platelets: serotonin is released, with all its harmful consequences."

September 2019 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

Connection Between Hypothyroidism, Chronic Stress, and Metabolic Problems

"In hypothyroidism, with reduced oxidative metabolism, the body is never far from stress and hyperventilation, with chronic production of lactate and ammonia. The inefficient metabolism in diabetes has similar effects."

July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

Hypothyroidism, Stress, and Related Physiological Complications

"People with hypothyroidism and low CO2 production are very susceptible to stress-induced hyperventilation and often exist in a state of physiological hyperventilation. They are prone to overproduction of ammonia (De Nardo et al., 1999; Marti et al., 1988) and lactate (Zarzeczny et al., 1996) as well as psychoses, especially depression and mania."

July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

Importance of Monitoring Ammonia and Lactate Levels

"Because of their role in the development and maintenance of pseudohypoxia as well as in stimulating hyperventilation, more attention should be given to measuring ammonia and lactate in blood, breath, and urine."

July 2017 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

Hypothyroidism, Hyperventilation, and a Vicious Cycle of Energy Loss

"Hypothyroidism suppresses respiration as an energy source, so little carbon dioxide is produced, and lactic acid forms even when no noticeable stress is present. This resembles hyperventilation itself, since the loss of carbon dioxide is the defining feature of hyperventilation; but the presence of abnormally high adrenergic activity and free fatty acids stimulates further hyperventilation and worsens the loss of carbon dioxide. Decreasing carbon dioxide further impairs respiration, leading to increased lactic acid production, which in turn stimulates more adrenergic activity – and so on, in a vicious cycle."

January 2000 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

Effects of CO2 Loss on Cerebral Blood Flow and Effects of Hyperventilation

"The loss of carbon dioxide reduces cerebral blood flow and causes complex paresthesias as well as stroke symptoms. Hyperventilation is a relative term and refers to the amount of carbon dioxide lost from the blood. Heavy, rapid breathing at high altitude or in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere does not necessarily constitute hyperventilation."

December 1999 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

Hyperventilation Experiment: Muscle Cramps and Altered Blood pH

"Simple hyperventilation causes muscle cramps and paresthesias (tingling of the skin) – in an experiment anyone can perform in a few minutes. When a large amount of carbon dioxide is exhaled, the blood pH rises only slightly due to systemic adjustments."

December 1999 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

The Role of Hyperventilation in Vascular Permeability and Hemoconcentration

"Hyperventilation increases vascular permeability, leading to hemoconcentration when a large portion of the water in the blood leaks into the tissue."

December 1999 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

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